#CPI&JoblessClaimsWatch CPI: Investors and policymakers monitor CPI for signs of persistent inflation or deflation. A lower-than-expected CPI could signal room for Fed rate cuts, while a hotter reading might delay easing. The next CPI release is scheduled for May 13, 2025, covering April data.Jobless Claims: Weekly initial claims are a leading indicator of employment trends. A sustained rise above 240,000–250,000 could suggest labor market weakening, while steady or lower claims point to resilience. Claims are reported every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Recent CPI Data:For March 2025, the CPI fell 0.1% month-over-month (MoM) against expectations of a 0.1% rise. Year-over-year (YoY), it increased 2.4%, slightly below the expected 2.5%. Core CPI (excluding food and energy) rose 0.1% MoM (vs. 0.3% expected) and 2.8% YoY (vs. 3.0% expected). This suggests cooling inflation, aligning with the Federal Reserve’s target of controlling price growth without stifling the economy.

Initial jobless claims for the week ending April 5, 2025, came in at 223,000, matching estimates and slightly up from the prior week’s 219,000. Continuing claims for the week ending March 29 dropped to 1,850,000 from 1,893,000, better than the expected 1,886,000. These figures indicate a stable labor market with no significant uptick in layoffs, though claims remain volatile week-to-week.